Flatwork ironer



Feb. 6, 1945. H. D. FORSE FLAT WORK IRONER Filed March l, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 'll/llrll/.vllllllll/Il;

. INVENTOR. /f/wwv .F0/755.

A ORNEYS.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. D. FORSE FLAT WORK IRONER Filed March l, 1939 Feb. 6, 1945.

ORNEY.

Feb. 6, 1945. H D, FORSE 2,368,652

FLAT WORK IRONER Filed March l, 1939 5 Sheets-Shet 3 INVENTOR /ffr AFE/P55.

Patented Feb. 6, 1945 #UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE FLATWORK IRONEB.

Harry D. Forse, Anderson, Ind. Application March l, 1939, Serial No. 259,223

` (c1. as s) 16 Claims.

This invention relates to a flat work ironing machine or mangle.

The chief object of this invention is to provide an improved ironing machine of chest and roll type which has considerable ironing surface but which occupies but relatively little area, and which produces a completely finished piece of work without reworking.

Another object of this invention permits the discharge of the work at selective stations depending upon the amount of ironing required by the work.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine which permits multi-stage ironing when desired.

Another object of the invention is to eliminate use of the usual roll padding with its resulting subsequent inequalities.

Another object of this invention is to provide for adjustable working pressure by use of an expansible roll and the regulation of such eX- pansion.

The chief feature of the invention consists in constructing the mangle machine whereby the several objects mentioned may be accomplished.

Another chief object of the invention is to provide, when desired, a steam removing or venting arrangement.

Another feature of the invention consists in constructing each chest with a xed concave ironing surface and of partable. character only for lateral removal of the included roll.

A further feature consists in the novel construction of the expansible roll.

Other objects and features of the invention will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through an expansible roll or cylinder and its associated parts.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the eX- pansible roll and is taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 2 and of a modifled form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of the form shown in Fig. 4 and is taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4 and in the direction of the arrows.

In the drawings there is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention. For simplicity, same is shown including but two vertically arranged units, but in practice anywhere from four to six may be employed. In this event the work is fed in at an upper iloor level and the ironed pieces removed at the next lower floor.

level, or the work may be supplied toan elevating conveyor run at the lower level.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings I0 indicates two spaced frame members connected together as at II,l see Fig. 2,'and by the base I2. Mounted thereon is an electric motor I3, the current for which may be controlled from any one of a number of control stations by appropriate switches and, if desired, withvsuch a control well known in the motor industry whereby initial very slow starting speed is utilized, then successively higher speeds until normal speed is obtained. This motor is preferably protected by an overload switch 2|.

A suitable speed reducer I4 rotates shaft l5.

Herein a conventional worm and worm wheel structure is shown. Shaft I5 mounts sprocket I6 for driving chain I1. A pulley I9 is the conveyor belt drive' for the belt or endless conveyor 20.

Herein there is illustrated two substantially vertically superimposed crescent shaped hollow chest structures, same being of partable or separable character. The upper chest has two portions 22 and 23, the interiors of which are supplied with steam for heating purposes. Steam is supplied by line 24 and discharges by line 25, see Fig. 2. These are suitably controlled as is common in the laundry industry.

The two sections are detachably secured together as indicated at 26. Section 22 is supported by frame I0 as at 21 and section 23 as at 28. These two sections provide an interior, somewhat cylindrical like, rigid, concave, heated ironing face substantially arcuate in cross-section and having a central angle greater than 180 and usually 270 or greater. 'I'he upper chest has 'an opening or throat of about central angle.

Positioned within each chest is an expansible rollor cylinder 29, the details of which are illus'- trated most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. The canvas or like conveyor belt 20, of endless character passes over power pulley I9, over idler pulley 30 suitably supported by frame II and thence tangentially engages cylinder 29 at the chest open mouth exposed portion of the cylinder. l

It passes almost completely about the cylinder and between the cylinder'and chest ironing face and thence outwardly at 30a. Work carried by the upper face of the upper run of the belt thus is presented at 39a to and passed between the cylinder 29 and the chest ironing face. the work being pressed into engagement with said face due to the pressure applied by the expansible cylinder. This cylinder is rotatable at substantially the same linear speed as ythe beltby means here- Beneath the upper complementary chest and expansible cylinder is a somewhat similar arrangement. Note, however, while the same numerals with prime designations designate similar parts they, especially the chest. are not identical.

If but twosuperposed units are employed the belt portion 3|a upon the exteriorof the lower chest is brought upwardly and outwardly as at 32. It passes over idler rolls 33 and 34 and under roller 35 before it passes about driving pulley I3, see Fig. 1. Y

In an intermediate plane between the two ironing units may be provided a take-on' table 36 which may be suitably mounted so that it can automatically remove the work from the belt between units. Herein such table is shown of tiltable character being pivoted at 31. It may be otherwise movable and otherwise supported, if desired.

When it engages the belt, the work moves from the belt to the table 36 and is discharged thereby to another table or conveyor indicated by numeral 33. Thus handkerchiefs and lighter flatwork would be discharged at this station and A lheavier and thicker pieces would continue on through the machine when the table 36 is tilted to dotted line position.

If desired, such work can be further folded at table 38 and then fed back into the mangle between the ironing units and further ironed. The

normal discharge,` however, will occur at table 36' as shown at the-lower level. The second table 38' shown at a level below table 38 in Fig. 1 may indicate a second position of said table 38 and which position change can be rapidly eected by the operator if a series of light articles are Acoming through to be followed by a series of heavier articles. When the articles are handled hit and miss then two tables 38 and 33' may be desirable as shown in Fig. 1.

unless specined by the claims, to exclude other suitable materials or a combination thereof, since the specific material of which the cylinders are made is not a part vof this invention. except as originally disclosed and claimed herein.

Extending longitudinal of the cylinder and radially inward from the inner surface are the ribs 40. These are integral with the cylinder body and preferably have included therein metallic tubing reenforcement 4|. .These ribs terminate short of the ends.

The cylinder ends include an inner plate 42 and an .outer plate 43. Between the same is an annular groove 44. Herein this is shown provided in the inner plate. The cylinder inturned end 46 is clampingly mounted therebetween. The

clamping means includes nuts 46 and rod 41,

the latter passing through holes 46 and'49 in plates 42 and 43. The inturned end 45 has radially elongated registering openings 50.

Herein both cylinder ends are similar and rods 41 extend from end to lend as at 5| and are seated in the metallic tubular structures 4| and constitute driving elements for the cylinder. Herein four such arrangements are illustrated. However, any desired number maybe employed `so long as cylinder is flexible and is capable of expansion under pressure and does not torsionally distort.

The plate as at one end (herein at the ien),

see Fig. 2, includes an axial extension 52 with which is rigid a sprocket gear 53. .iidiustablyl mounted in the adjacent frame portion in as at 64 is a stop member 55 which prevents axial or end play of the cylinder to the left.

Reference will now be had to the cylinder right hand end, see Fig. 2.. Herein the portion 52 extending from plate 43 is of large diameter and -has a bore 66 and an extension 52a, which ex.

tension extends through the -sprocket gear 53 carried by member 52. Plate 42 is coaxially apertured at 51. and the coaxial extension 51a receives one end of a flexible pressure supplying connec- When the table 38 is positioned in'elevated relation, or two tables are used the belt stripper and table transfer element 36 is caused to engage the belt for article take-off" purposes between the chests. l

Reference will now be had more particularly to Figs. 2 and 3 for a detailed illustration of -one and the preferred embodiment of expansible roll or cylinder whereby the work is pressed against the ironingv face or platen as the work is carried through the unit by the endless belt structure.

The expanslble cylinder or roll includes a cylindrical shell having sufficient body strength for the purposes required, yet having a certain resiliency so that it is capable of expansion to the desired degree when subjected to internal pressure. Such a cylinder is preferably of rubber or rubber-like material, such as a synthetic rubber substitute, the latter being tougher and heat resistant to a greater degree than rubber per se, and of such materials, neoprene is an example although by this recitation, it is not intended,

tion such as a hose 58.

A tubular member 59 is secured at 60 to atubular extension 6l carried by frame I0. Member 59 has elongated slots 62 to permit telescopic adjustment of the two tubular portions 53-6 The end of memberv 59 may be internally anged as at 63 to form an axial end play preventing stop against which the extension 52a of sprocket mount 52 may engage. In effect, therefore,

sprocket 53 operatively engages the adjacent end of stop 59. The two end play stops are adjusted i to prevent as much end play as possible, having due regard for elimination of friction `between the stops and the intermediate mechanism, see Fig. 2.

The frame i0 opposite extension 6| supports member 66 having a-central bore 65 registering with the bore of tubular extension 6|. This bore is enlarged to form chamber 66 and the outer end wall portion is'threaded at 61 to receive an apertured'plug 68. A tubular extension 69 coaxial with aperture 10 is adapted to support andconnect rigidly with one end of a pressure supply line 1|, as illustrated, or by any other equivalent convenient connection.

The other end of flexible tubed53 is secured to the stem of apertured disk .12 which bears against face 13 of chamber 66 and is constrained to sealing engagement -by spring 14. This arrangement permits free rotation of the roll without undue loss of pressure and frequent renewal of a packed joint. It is'to be understood that mounted for rotation.

Reference now will be had to Fig. 1. Chain |1 rotates two sprockets 15 carried by shaft 16 supported in xed bearings in frame I0. O n said shaft is a sprocket 11 and a chain 18 drives sprocket 19 on a superposed shaft 80 similarly mounted and to which is similarly secured spaced sprockets 8|.`

At the opposite side of the upper chest and roll unit and mounted in adjustable bearings 83 in frame I is shaft 82 parallel to shaft 8|. The adv Justable bearings are normally constrained to the left by springs 84, the force of which is adjusted as at 85. -A sprocket chain |00 adjacent each frame portion ||l meshes with the adjacent sprockets 81 on shaft 82 and 8| on shaft 80 and has upper and lower engagement with the sprocket gear 52 of the roll. All of the aforesaid sprockets are in co-planar lalignment. The lower roll is similarly'mounted and driven.

By this arrangement each roll is positively driven (rotated) and oatingly supported within the chest. It is confined by a certain area within the chest because of the great degree ofA circularity of its ironing face. All rolls are similarly supported and driven.

In Fig. l, 90 indicates a pressure pump, motor operable, and same is connected by means not shown to the pressure supply lines 1| of the rolls. A relief valve 9| on said pump prevents excessive application of pressure. A relief valve 92 in each pressure supply line 1| (see Fig, 2), insures proper pressure application to the roll which usually is in the neighborhood of to 8 pounds per square inch.

The resulting construction is therefore compact, of great ironing surface capacity, is more orl less self-adjusting in its operation and is pro-4 tected against roll escapement, excessive pressure application and especially motor burn-out if any of the rolls should jam, if the pressure controls fail, or the work being handled requires roll contraction for operation.

, In Figs. 4 and 5 is illustrated a modied form of the invention. Herein numerals of the one hundred seriesA indicate like or similar parts. Numerals of the two hundred series indicate additional or other parts.

In this fonn of theA invention there is illustrated a suction arrangement which is eifective externally so that it does not interfere with the internal pressure application for roll expansion.

The right hand end of the structure is substantially the same as illustrated in Fig. 2, and pressure is applied to the roll at this end. The structure at the left hand end is generally similar thereto except the relief valve 292 is arranged to relieve the suction vif it becomes excessive.

The passage 251 instead of communicating with the roll interior communicates by flexible conduits 216 Vwith the outlets 211 substantially midway between the ends of tubular portions |4|. Each end of the tube |4| is closed by a suitably formed rubber sleeve type stopper 218 driven into the tube end.

In the event such a closure is insuiiiciently resilient to permit roll expansion, thestopper instead 'of being as shown in Fig. 4, may have a central portion smaller in diameter than tube |4| and at its roll and tube exposed end may 75 have a lateral flange portion of iiexible rubber which overlaps the end of said tube.

Suction applied at outlet 211 will always insure flange sealing of the tube end. This is also assisted by any pressure applied to the roll interior.

Leading from the exterior surface of the roll are any desired number of ducts 219 which, however, communicate with the interior oi tubes |4| by apertures 280 therein. These ducts and apertures may be formed simultaneously in the roll by drilling from the roll exterior and into the tube.

It -will be observed that the axial play prevention arrangement in this embodiment of the invention and at each end is substantially like that illustrated in Fig. 2 at the righthand end thereof.

The vacuum supply line 21|)` may include a regulating valve. The vacuum pump 28|, see Fig. 1, is Ialso motor driven and may be suitably protected by a relief valve 282. V`

The aforesaid modification therefore removes the steam generated in the ironing operation. Any or all rolls may be modified, as aesii ed. However, it is to be understood thatfthe vacuum is of such amount that the ironed clothes are not held to the roll in the ironing operation.

In normal operation-see Fig. l-articles are applied to the belt immediately to the left of roller 30. the-upper roll 29 and chest 22 and the garments are on the ironing face of chest 22. They then pass to the lower roll and chest in like manner being ironed. The articles between the belt and convex surface of the chest are dried by the heat in the chest. Steam generated by ironing is exhausted through the rolls. The rolls and belt drive at the same peripheral speed. Articles may be removed at 36 or 32 as desired or required. Proper expansion of the rolls insures finish ironing.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character.

The several modications described herein as well as others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, all are considered to be within the broad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

Thefinvention claimed is:

1. In an ironing machine a pair of spaced frame members,'an ironing chest therebetween having la. concave ironing surface arcuate in section and of the order of approximately'seventy percent of a circle, an ironing cylinder therein having a cylindrical pressing surface radially expansible by pressure and appreciable in amount suliicien't for pressure pressing upon the chest substantially throughout the entire operative engagement therebetween, said engagement being substantially coextensive with the entire arcuate length of said pressing surface chest, and coaxial means supporting said cylinder and iioatingly supported by said members and arranged for cylinder rotation.

2. In an ironing machine a pair of spaced frame members, an ironing chest therebetween having a concave ironing surface arcuate in section and of the order of approximately seventy (70%) percent of a circle, an ironing cylinder therein having a cylindrical pressing surface radially expansible by pressure and appreciable in amount suflicient for pressure pressing upon the chest substantially throughout the entire operative engagement therebetween, said engagement being substantially coextensive with the entire arcuate length of said pressing surface chest, coaxial means supporting said cylinder and iloating'ly supported by said members and arranged for cylinder rotation, and means extending inwardly from said framemembers for limiting lateral -or axial play of the cylinder in the chest.'

3. In an ironing machine a pair of spaced frame members, an ironing chest therebetween having a concave ironing surface arcuate in section and of the order of approximately seventy (70%) percent of a circle,^an ironing cylinder therein cylinder rotation, andl means extending inwardly y from said frame members for limiting lateral or axial play of the cylinder in the chest, said play limiting means having an adjustable connection with said frame members.

4. In an ironing machine, a chest arcuate in section upon its concave ironing face and of an order at least fty percent (50%) of a circle, an ironing cylinder therein, means extending axially from opposite ends of the cylinder and oatingly supported'for floating support of the cylinder in the chest, toothed means at each end of the cylinder, an endless tooth engaging means for each toothed means, dual, toothed, means engaging each endless means, and a common drive for said endless means, said rst mentioned toothed means having endless means engagement between the dual second-mentioned'l toothed means whereby the first-mentioned toothed means is automatically adjustable relative to the endless means regardless of cylinder position variation incident to the floating support thereof.

5. In an ironing machine, a chest arcuate in section upon its concave ironing face and of an orderl at least fty (50%) percent of a circle, an ironing cylinder therein, means extending axially from opposite ends of the cylinders and floatingly supported for floating support ofthe cylinder in the chest, toothed means at each end of the cylinder, an endless tooth engaging means for each toothed means, dual toothed means engaging-each endless means, a common drive for saidrendless means, said rst mentioned toothed means having endless means engagement between the dual second mentioned toothed means whereby the first mentioned toothed means is automatically adjustable relative to the endless means regardless of cylinder position variation incident to the oating support thereof, and yielding means operatively associated with each of the dual toothed means.

6. In an ironing machine an expansible ironing cylinder, including an expansible cylindrical shell, la pair of end plate closures, a plurality of elongated means connecting said closures together and positioned in spaced relation and spaced'from the cylinder axis, and means carried internally by said shell and having means for locating the shell by association with the elongated means, such association permitting movement of the adjacent shell radially of the axis.

7. A cylinder as defined by claim 6, characterized by each end closure including a pair of plates with a peripheral groove therebetween for shell therein having a cylindrical pressing surface inturned end reception, the elongated closure connecting means having extensions at each end .for clamping connection with the plates.

8. In combination a concave ironing face, ar-

cuate in section and of an order of more than half a circle, a radially expansible roll therein having a cylindrical surface adjacent the ironing face, means oatingly supporting the roll within the ironing face, the ironing face being formed by a heatedl chest having a heated exterior face;

vand an endless work conveying belt passing bebetween.

9. In an ironing machine a pair of spaced fname members, an ironing chest therebetween having a concave ironing surface arcuate in section and of the order of approximately seventy (70%) percent of a circle, an ironing cylinder radially expansible by pressure and appreciable in amount suicient forl pressure pressing upon the chest substantially throughout the entire operative engagement therebetween, said engagement being substantially coextensivel with the entire l arcuate length of said pressing surface chest, and coaxialmeans supporting said cylinder and floatingly supported by said members and arranged for cylinder rotation, the' cylinder including e amount suilcient for pressure pressing upon the chest substantially throughout the entire operative engagement therebetween, said engagement being substantially coextensive with the entire arcuate length of said pressing surface chest, coaxial means supporting said cylinder and floatingly supported by saidmembers and arranged for cylinder rotation, and flexible means substantially coaxial with the cylinder axis and within the first-mentioned coaxial means for pressure fluid supply to the cylinder.

1I. In combination a concave ironing face, arcuate in section and of the order of more thanv a semi-circle, a-roll therein, an endless belt therebetween, means for rotating the roll, means for moving the belt atsubstantially the same linear speed as the roll,.a source of power for both means, an overload operable means for said source of power,` the roll Vbeing of peripherally expansible character, means for supplying regulated pressure-to` vthe roll for maintaining the roll in predetermined expanded condition, and pressure relief means for said supplying means.

12. In combination a concave ironing face, arcuate in section and-vof the order of more than a semi-circla-a roll therein, an endless belt therebetween, means, yfor rotating the roll, means for moving the beltat substantially the same linear speedas the roll,'=a source of power for both ironing face, means for supplying regulated pressure to the roll for maintaining the roll in predetermined expanded condition, and pressure relief means for said supplying means.

13. In an ironing machine, a pair of spaced frame means, a heated ironing chest therebetween having an arcuately sectioned continuous ironing face of an order of at least 180 of arc, a pressure expansible ironing cylinder therein and supported at opposite ends by the frame means, and means operatively associated with the cylinder for venting ironing generated steam through the cylinder.

14. In an ironing machine, the combination of a heated ironing chest, a pressure expansible ironing roll operatively associated therewith, pressure supplying means for expanding the roll for pressure ironing purposes, and means operatively associated with the roll for venting ironing generated steam through the roll.

15. In an ironing machine for smooth iinish continuous ironing an ironing chest having a fixed concave ironing surface arcuate in section and of the order of approximately seventy (70%) percent of a circle, a rotatable ironing cylinder therein and having a cylindrical pressing surface radially expansible by uid pressure, the expansion being appreciable in amount and sumcient for fluid pressure pressing upon the chest substantially throughout the entire concave ironing surface thereof contiguous to the cylinder for effecting operative ironing engagement therebetween substantially coextensive with the entire arcuate length of said chest contiguous with the cylinder, the chest, by reason of its high percentage of encirclement being effective to prevent lo-v calized expansion of said cylinder and to insure the aforesaid coextenslve contact thereof with the chest, and means arranged for cylinder rotation.

16. An ironing machine as defined by claim 15 wherein there is interposed between the cylinder and the chest an endless belt, the chest having a fixed outer convex ironing-surface merging with the concave ironing surface to form a throat of a width less than the diameter of the cylinder, the belt entering the throat at an angle thereto for assisting in constraining expansion of the throat exposed portion of the expansible ironing cylinder and facilitating cylinder rotation.

' HARRY D. FORSE. 

